Gateway m520 User Manual
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Chapter 9 105 ■Introducing networking ■Creating a wireless network ■Testing your network ■Sharing your resources ■Troubleshooting your network
106www.gateway.com Introduction to networking A network is a collection of computers and other devices that communicate with each other. Using a network A network lets you: ■Share a single Internet connection ■Share computer drives ■Share peripheral devices ■Stream audio and video files ■Play multi-player games Sharing a single Internet connection Each computer connected to the network can share the same broadband connection or modem and telephone line to access the Internet at the same time. This saves on the cost of installing another telephone line for your second computer and paying for a second Internet service provider (ISP) account. Sharing drives With a network, you can copy files from computer to computer by copying and pasting or dragging and dropping. You will no longer waste your time transferring files by using recordable media. In addition, you can map a drive on a networked computer to another computer, and access the files as if they were located on the hard drive of the computer you are using. Sharing peripheral devices Each computer that is connected to the network can share the same peripheral devices, such as a printer. Select print from the computer you are currently using and your file is automatically printed on your printer no matter where it is located on your network.
107www.gateway.com Streaming audio and video files With a network, you can store audio files (such as the popular .MP3 files) and video files on any networked computer, then play them on any of the other computers or devices connected to your network. This process is called streaming. Playing multi-player games With a home network, you can play multi-player games. Load a game like Microsoft Racing Madness 2 on your computers, and in minutes, you and your friends can race in competing cars or on competing motorcycles. Using a wireless network A wireless network is ideal for creating a home or office network because it lets you move about your home or office with your notebook. For example, you can take your notebook from your home office to your patio without losing a connection to your network. Help and SupportFor more information about using a network, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type one of these keywords in the Search box , then click the arrow: ■internet sharing■sharing network drives■streaming■network games WarningRadio frequency wireless communication can interfere with equipment on commercial aircraft. Current aviation regulations require wireless devices to be turned off while traveling in an airplane. IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, and IEEE 802.11g communication devices are examples of devices that provide wireless communication. For more information, see “System key combinations” on page 32.
108www.gateway.com The most common way to set up a wireless network is Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP) using a wireless access point router. A DHCP network configuration uses an access point router to automatically assign IP addresses to each computer or network device. Example access point wireless network By using an access point router, you can join a wireless network and access the Internet. The following is an example of an access point wireless network that shows how an access point router also lets you access the Internet. The network is made up of an access point router, a cable or DSL modem, and your computers. The access point router is the central control point for the network. Attached to the access point router is the cable or DSL modem that provides access to the Internet. Each of the computers or Ethernet-ready devices communicate with the access point router using radio waves. If your computer does not have built-in wireless networking, you need to add a wireless PCI card (desktop), PC card (notebook), or USB adapter. ImportantIf your computer came equipped with an internal radio frequency wireless device, see “Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information” on page 139 for general wireless regulatory and safety guidelines. To find out if your computer has an internal wireless device, check the device manager. For more information, see “Determining if wireless networking is already installed on your computers” on page 110. ImportantNote any antenna placement constraints in the user guide of each type of wireless device in your network. ImportantThe speed of a wireless network is related to signal strength. Signal strength is affected by the distance between your wireless network devices, by radio interference, and by interference from natural obstructions such as walls, floors, and doors.
109www.gateway.com Equipment you need for an access point wireless network For an access point wireless network you need: ■Two or more computers with wireless networking ■One access point router ■One broadband Internet connection (optional) Cable/DSL modem Access point router USB wireless adapter
110www.gateway.com Determining if wireless networking is already installed on your computers To determine if wireless networking is already installed on your computer: 1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance and Maintenance . 2Click/Double-click System, click the Hardware tab, then click Device Manager . The Device Manager window opens. ImportantIEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g use the same radio frequency. IEEE 802.11a uses a different radio frequency than IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g. All wireless networking components must use the same frequency. A combination of IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11b or IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11g components will not work. Some wireless devices can broadcast and receive signals on both frequencies. A mixture of IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g components will result in your network running at the speed of the slower IEEE 802.11b components. Tips & TricksWhen buying your access point router, be sure the model includes everything your network needs, including: ■802.11g support - for next-generation, high-speed wireless communications ■Internet security features - such as a firewall to protect your network from unwanted intruders ■Wireless security features - such as 128-bit WEP encryption ■4-port switch - to eliminate the need for additional network hardware ■DHCP server/dynamic IP address assignment - to automatically configure network and IP addresses
111www.gateway.com 3Click the plus (+) in front of Network adapters. The wireless networking device installed in your computer is listed. If one is not listed, you must install a PC card or USB adapter. Creating an wireless network Making sure your broadband connection works Before you change anything about your home setup, make sure that your broadband connection is working correctly. To test the connection, log onto the Internet using your current setup. If the connection is not working, contact your Internet service provider. Naming the computers and the workgroup Each computer on your network must have a unique name and be i d e n t i fi e d a s p a r t o f a w o r k g r o u p . T h i s m u s t b e d o n e i n d i v i d u a l ly o n e a c h computer. ImportantIf you do not have a broadband connection already installed, make the necessary arrangements with your ISP. Be sure to find out how soon after the installation the line will be activated. ImportantBroadband Internet settings will differ from ISP to ISP. Before you begin setting up your network, you should contact your ISP for any specific instructions they have for setting up a network.
112www.gateway.com To identify this computer on the network: 1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance and Maintenance . The Performance and Maintenance window opens. 2Click/Double-click System. The System Properties dialog box opens. 3Click Computer Name. 4Click Change. The Computer Name Changes dialog box opens. 5Type a unique computer name in the Computer name bo x. Th is na m e identifies the computer to other users on the network. Use a computer name of up to 15 characters with no blank spaces. Each computer name must be unique on your network. All-numeric computer names are not allowed. Names must contain some letters. 6Type a name for your workgroup in the Workgroup box. Use a workgroup name of up to 15 characters with no blank spaces. The workgroup name must be the same for all computers in your network workgroup, and the name must be different than any computer name on your network. 7Click OK to close the Computer Name Changes dialog box. Configuring the TCP/IP protocol A networking protocol is a language computers use to talk to each other. One of several available protocols must be set up on each computer you plan to use on your network. We recommend you use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), which is widely accepted and compatible for local area networks (LANs), as well as for Internet communications. When networking is set up in Windows XP or Windows 2000, TCP/IP is automatically installed as the default protocol. ImportantYou must give each computer on the network a unique Computer Name and the same Workgroup Name.
113www.gateway.com Terms you should know DHCP - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) enables an access point router to temporarily assign an IP address to a computer on the network. IP Address - Internet Protocol (IP) address is a number that uniquely identifies a computer on the network. Subnet Mask - A number that identifies what subnetwork the computer is located on. This number will be the same on all computers on a home network. Using a DHCP server In order to use the TCP/IP protocol on each computer with an access point router, you must set the protocol to “Obtain an IP address from a DHCP server”. To use a DHCP server 1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Network and Internet Connections . The Network and Internet Connections window opens. 2Click/Double-click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.
114www.gateway.com 3Right-click Local Area Connection, then click Properties. The Local Area Connection Properties dialog box opens. 4Click to select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) check box in the This connection uses the following items list. If you do not see TCP/IP, drag the scroll bar to see more choices. 5Click Properties. The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box opens.